Armed Forces of Montenegro

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Armed Forces of Montenegro
Војска Црне Горе (Montenegrin)
Emblem of the Armed Forces of Montenegro
Flag of the Armed Forces of Montenegro
Motto	Čojstvo i Junaštvo (cnr) Humanity and Bravery (en)
Founded	1879
Current form	2006
Service branches	Ground Forces Navy Air Force
Headquarters	Podgorica
Website	www.gov.me/mod/vojska-crne-gore
Leadership
Commander-in-chief	Jakov Milatović
Minister of Defence	Dragan Krapović
Chief of the General Staff	Zoran Lazarević
Personnel
Military age	18 years of age
Conscription	No
Fit for military service	184,159 males, age 15–49, 171,823 females, age 15–49
Active personnel	2,350[1]
Expenditure
Budget	€134 million
Percent of GDP	1.9% 2024
Industry
Domestic suppliers	TARA Aerospace and Defence Products AD
Foreign suppliers	Israel  Italy  Czech Republic  Turkey  Serbia  Bosnia and Herzegovina  Romania  United States  Slovenia  Spain[2]
Related articles
History	Military history of Montenegro
Ranks	Military ranks of Montenegro

The Armed Forces of Montenegro (Montenegrin: Војска Црне Горе, romanized: Vojska Crne Gore) are the military forces of Montenegro. The Armed Forces consists of an army, navy and air force.

The military currently maintains a force of 2,350 active duty members.^[1] The bulk of its equipment and forces were inherited from the Armed Forces of Serbia and Montenegro; as Montenegro contained the entire coastline of the former union, it retained the entire naval force.^{[citation needed]}

On 5 June 2017, Montenegro joined NATO as the 29th member.

• Commander in Chief President Jakov Milatović

• Minister of Defence, Dragan Krapović
  • Chief of General Staff Brigadier General, Zoran Lazarević

• Golubovci Airbase (Podgorica)

• Bar Naval Base
• Pero Ćetković Base
• Pristan Base

• Milovan Šaranović Army Base
• Nikšić Army Base
• V. K. Volođa Army Base
• Breza Army Base
• Masline Army Base
• Аndrijevica Army Base

• General Staff, in Podgorica^[3]
  • 1st Infantry Battalion, in Danilovgrad
    • 1st Infantry Company, in Nikšić
    • 2nd Infantry Company, in Pljevlja
    • 3nd Infantry Company, in Andrijevica
    • Mountain Infantry Company, in Kolašin
    • Fire Support Company, in Podgorica
    • Signal Platoon, in Danilovgrad
    • NBC Defence Platoon, in Danilovgrad
    • Service Section, in Danilovgrad
  • Air Force, at Podgorica Airbase
    • Flying Squadron
    • Air Surveillance & Reporting Centre, in Golubovci, reports to NATO's Integrated Air Defense System CAOC Torrejón in Spain
    • Support Company
    • Signal Platoon
    • 1st Air-Defence Platoon
    • 2nd Air-Defence Platoon
    • Service Section
  • Navy, in Bar
    • Patrol Boat P105
    • Patrol Boat P106
    • Coastal Surveillance Company
    • Training Ship "Jadran"
    • Auxiliary Boats Detachment
    • Support Company, in Danilovgrad
  • Combat Support Battalion, in Podgorica
    • Special Forces Company
    • Marine Detachment
    • Military Police Company
    • Honorary Guard Company
  • Support Battalion, in Danilovgrad
    • Engineer Company
    • Maintenance Company
    • Mixed Logistic Company
    • Warehouse Platoon
    • Logistic Platoon
  • 2nd Infantry Battalion (Reserve), in Pljevlja
  • 3rd Infantry Battalion (Reserve), in Andrijevica
  • Mixed Artillery Battalion (Reserve), in Nikšić
  • Training Center, in Danilovgrad
  • Medical Center, in Podgorica
  • Signal and Electronic Warfare Company, in Podgorica

After military successes in the wars 1876–1878 during which the Principality of Montenegro was enlarged by a large territory, from the Tara River in the north to the Adriatic Sea in the south (liberated towns Podgorica, Nikšić, Kolašin, Andrijevica, Bar and Ulcinj), reorganization in Montenegrin army was conducted in 1880. Each kapetanija (municipality) formed its reserve battalion. There were 42 battalions in total. Since 1881, regular military exercises were conducted.

Supreme Commander of the Montenegrin army was the monarch, Prince / King Nikola I. Operational command, organization and financial support of the Montenegrin army was entrusted to the Ministry of Defence, the department of the Government of the Principality / Kingdom of Montenegro.

General Staff of the Montenegrin army was part of the Ministry of Defence.

In 1882 first 14 Montenegrins were sent to officer schools abroad, particularly in Italy and Russia. In 1886, 10 of them completed their education and they become first trained officers in Montenegrin warrior history. These Montenegrin officers held courses in Podgorica, Nikšić and Cetinje.

In September 1895, the first permanent Infantry NCO school in Podgorica was opened, and the first NCOs got desečar rank. At the end of 1896, artillery officer school in Cetinje was established – the first Montenegrin officer school.

In 1906 Montenegrin army received the first systematized regulations, and the Law on Organization of the Army was adopted in 1910. Infantry and artillery, were established, followed by two specialized branches (reconnaissance and pioneering), and additional branches (medics, military workshop, the military court staff, gendarmerie and logistics).

In 1913 the Montenegrin gendarmerie became a special Military Police unit.

Since the establishment of the internal Montenegrin telecommunications system in 1869, vital for the flow of military-defence information, it was under the jurisdiction of Ministry of the military.

Until 1912, the territory of the Kingdom of Montenegro was divided into four divisional areas:

• 1.Cetinje divisional area
• 2.Podgorica divisional area
• 3.Nikšić divisional area
• 4.Kolašin divisional area

After wars 1912th–1913th established additional two divisions field:

• 5.Pljevlja divisional area
• 6.Peć divisional area

By 1912, the Montenegrin Army had 11 brigade areas, 52 districts and 322 battalion troop areas. Divisions were composed of 2–3 Infantry Brigade.

Each divisional command had three artillery batteries. On the eve of the First Balkan War Kingdom of Montenegro lined up 55,000 soldiers.

After the establishment of the Kingdom of Montenegro in 1910, Montenegro was involved in three wars with the first one being the First Balkan War, in alliance with Serbia, Greece, Romania, and Bulgaria against the Ottoman Empire. The Second Balkan War was fought between Montenegro, Serbia, Greece, Romania and the Ottoman Empire against Bulgaria, with Bulgaria consequently losing significant territory in the north, Thrace, and Macedonia.

The Military of Montenegro before 1918, was much larger than today's military. During World War I, Montenegro mobilised 50,000 troops. The Commander-in-Chief was King Nikola I of Montenegro, while the General of Staff was Božidar Janković. Units included:

• Pljevlja Division

The Pljevlja Division was commanded by Brigadier Luka Gojnić. The division was made up of 10 battalions. It had around 6,000 soldiers and patrolled the area east from Pljevlja.

• Herzegovina Detachment

The Herzegovina Detachment was commanded by Serdar (Count) Janko Vukotić. The detachment was made up of 15 battalions. It had around 15,000 soldiers, and patrolled the border with Herzegovina.

• Lovćen Detachment

The Lovćen Detachment was commanded by divizijar Mitar Martinović. The detachment was made up of 18 battalions. It had around 8,000 soldiers, and patrolled the areas of Lovćen and Sutorman.

• Old Serbia' Detachment

The 'Old Serbia' Detachment was commanded by Brigadier Radomir Vešović. The detachment was made up of 13 battalions. It had around 6,000 soldiers and secured the Albanian border.

Most soldiers of the Montenegrin army had no uniforms. At mobilization, the soldiers were issued with a rifle and a badge to put on the cap. Both soldiers and officers in the reserve wore national costume. The badges in the caps had different designs depending on the rank of the wearer.

All Montenegrins between 18 and 62 years were conscripts. Recruitment was done three times a year, and the recruits are in peacetime had to have at least 25 years.

• Officer ranks were: potporučnik, poručnik, kapetan, komandir, brigadir, divizijar
• NCO ranks were: desečar, donarednik, narednik
• Ceremonial ranks were: serdar, vojvoda

Montenegro participates in peace operations under the NATO and UN auspices as military troops and observers. Minister of Defense said that 85 soldiers are trained for international missions.^[4] Montenegrin soldiers are trained by the German Bundeswehr.^[5]

Montenegro sent 45 troops and medical personnel to the ISAF mission in Afghanistan and later took part in the Resolute Support Mission.^[6][7]

Montenegro also participates in UN peacekeeping missions in Liberia, UNMIL, Cyprus, UNFICYP as military observers and Somalia, EU-NAVFOR.^[8]

Current Mission	Organization	Country	Nr. of personnel
NATO EFP	NATO	Latvia	Special forces team
KFOR	NATO	Kosovo	2 Officers
UNMIL	UN	Liberia	Officers as military observers
UNFICYP	UN	Cyprus	Officers as military observers
MINURSO	UN	Western Sahara	Officers as military observers
EU-NAVFOR	EU	Somalia	12 Members (APVD team)[9]
EUTM Mali	EU	Mali	Officers training

Weapon	Country manufactured	Cartridge	Quantity	Pictures	Notes
Pistols
Glock 17[10]	Austria	9×19mm			Standard gun of Montenegrin Military.[11]
Zastava CZ99	Serbia	9×19mm			Standard gun of Montenegrin Military
Tara TM9	Montenegro	9×19mm			Currently in use.
Submachine guns
Heckler & Koch MP5	Germany	9×19mm Parabellum			Used by Special Forces.[12][13]
Tara TM-9	Montenegro	9×19mm Parabellum			Similar to the Colt 9mm SMG, but with forward assist and Glock magazine compatibility.[14]
Assault rifles
Zastava M59/66	Yugoslavia	7.62×39mm			Ceremonial rifle
MPT-76	Turkey	7.62×51mm NATO 5.56×45mm NATO	30		15 × rifles in NATO calibre 7.62×51mm and 15 × rifles in 5.56×45mm NATO ammunition according to a protocol signed by representatives of the Turkish and Montenegrin defence ministries in Ankara on 1 October 2019.[15]
G36	Germany	5.56×45mm NATO	655 (as of 2015)[16]		Standard rifle of Montenegrin Military
Steyr AUG	Austria	5.56×45mm NATO			Used by Special Forces
Heckler & Koch HK416	Germany	5.56×45mm NATO			Used by Special Forces.[12][17]
Tara TM4	Montenegro	5.56×45mm NATO			Standard issue rifle in the Montenegrin ground army
Zastava M70/M70A	Yugoslavia  Serbia	7.62×39mm			In reserve
Sniper rifles
Heckler & Koch PSG1	Germany	7.62×51mm NATO			PSG 1 and MSG 90 in service.[18][19]
Zastava M93 Black Arrow	Yugoslavia  Serbia	12.7×108mm			In service
Zastava M76	Yugoslavia  Serbia	7.92×57mm			In reserve
Zastava M91	Yugoslavia  Serbia	7.62×54mmR			In reserve
Machine guns
Zastava M84	Yugoslavia  Serbia	7.62×54mmR			In service.[12]
Zastava M72	Yugoslavia  Serbia	7.62×39mm			In reserve
Grenade launcher
BGA 30mm	Serbia	30mm			In service
Heckler & Koch AG36	Germany	40mm			In service
Anti-tank
M79 Osa	Yugoslavia	90mm rocket			In service, planned to buy new man-portable anti-tank systems.[citation needed]
M80 Zolja	Yugoslavia	64mm rocket			In service, planned to buy new man-portable anti-tank systems.[citation needed]
9M14 Malyutka	Soviet Union  Yugoslavia	64mm rocket			In service
Mortar
M57	Yugoslavia	60mm	43		In service
M69	Yugoslavia	82mm	44		14 active, 30 in reserve
M74/M75	Yugoslavia	120mm	32		In service.[20]
Howitzer
D-30J 122 mm	Soviet Union	122 mm	12		In service.[20]
Multiple rocket launchers
M-94 Plamen-S	Yugoslavia	128 mm	18		In service.[20]
Armoured personnel carriers
model	country of origin	year of production	quantity	picture	notes
Oshkosh L-ATV	United States  Israel	2020 to 2024	67+?		The Gale Banks Engineering diesel engine develops 340 hp, gross vehicle mass (GVM) are 10.2 t, of which the payload is 3.8 t. - 55 vehicles are equipped with Elbit Systems RCWS (Remote Controlled Weapon Station) with a 12.7 mm heavy machine gun - 4 vehicles are equipped with Rafael Samson RCWS armed with M230LF 30 mm lightweight automatic chain gun, - 4 vehicles are equipped with missile launchers for Spike LR HEAT and Spike SR missiles - 4 vehicles are command and reconnaissance vehicle - In May 2023 Montenegrin MoD signed a 22 million USD contract with Elbit Systems for a purchase of an unspecified number of 120 mm SPEAR Mk2 mortar systems to be mounted on JLTVs.[21]
ACS LAPV 5.4 Enok	Germany	2018	6		The diesel engine develops 184 hp, gross vehicle mass (GVM) are 5.4 t.
Otokar Cobra	Turkey	2016	1		The diesel engine develops 190 hp, gross vehicle mass (GVM) are 6.7 t. Light armoured combat vehicle for chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear reconnaissance.
Achleitner RCV Survivor	Austria	2010	4		The diesel engine develops 286 hp and 650 Nm, gross vehicle mass (GVM) are 8 t, of which the payload is 2.5 t. Reconnaissance and Command Vehicle (RCV) have modified chassis of the Toyota Land Cruiser 200.
TAM BOV VP М86	Yugoslavia		3		The diesel engine develops 150 hp and 490 Nm, gross vehicle mass (GVM) are 9.1 t.
BTR-50 PK	Soviet Union		5		Not in use.
Military light utility vehicle
Toyota Hilux RC 19 2.4 D 4x4	Japan	2020	20		The diesel engine develops 150 hp and 400 Nm, gross vehicle mass (GVM) are 3 t, of which the payload is circa 1 t.
Mercedes-Benz G-Class[22]	Germany	2016	6		The 3.0 V6 diesel engine develops 240 hp and 600 Nm
Toyota Land Cruiser	Japan	2016	1		Ambulance vehicle
Isuzu D-Max	Japan	2016	1		The diesel engine develops 163 hp and 400 Nm, and is used for food transport.
Achleitner MMV Survivor	Austria	2010	16		The diesel engine develops 173 hp and 410 Nm, gross vehicle mass (GVM) are 4 t, of which the payload is circa 0.8 t. Militarized Mission Vehicle (MMV) is Toyota Land Cruiser but with reinforced suspension, additional engine and gearbox protection, modified brake system and the intake and exhaust system (so that the vehicle could go through water), can cary five soldiers and in the trunk there are five boxes for automatic rifles (one for each soldier) and painted in military color.
Pinzgauer 710	Austria				The petrol engine develops 90 hp and 185 Nm, gross vehicle mass (GVM) are 2,9 t, of which the payload is circa 1 t.
Military utility trucks
BMC 245-16P	Turkey	2023	2		The Cummins 615Be 245 diesel engine develops 245 hp and 925 Nm, gross vehicle mass (GVM) are 16 t, of which the payload is 8.5 t (off-road 5 t).
BMC 380-26P	Turkey	2023	1		The Cummins ISMe 385 30 diesel engine develops 380 hp and 1,834 Nm, gross vehicle mass (GVM) are 26 t, of which the payload is 15.5 t (off-road 10 t).
Iveco MUV	Italy	2019	1		Ambulance vehicle
Mercedes-Benz Unimog 405	Germany	2010
TAM 110 T7 B/BV	Yugoslavia				The F4 L 413 R diesel engine develops 115 hp and 350 Nm, gross vehicle mass (GVM) are 7 t, of which the payload is 2.5 t (off-road 1.5 t).
TAM 150 T11 B/BV	Yugoslavia				The F6 L 413 R diesel engine develops 150 hp and 490 Nm, gross vehicle mass (GVM) are 11.4 t, of which the payload is 5 t (off-road 3 t).
FAP 2026	Yugoslavia				The OM 402 diesel engine develops 256 hp and 834 Nm, gross vehicle mass (GVM) are 21 t, of which the payload is 10 t (off-road 6 t).
Engineering vehicles
IMK TG-110 IMK TG-140 IMK TG-160 IMK TG-190 IMK TG-220	Yugoslavia				Tracked bulldozer
IMK ULT-160	Yugoslavia				Wheeled bulldozer
CAT 434F	United States				Backhoe loader

Class	Country manufactured	Variants	Quantity	Pictures	Notes
Frigate
Kotor class	Yugoslavia	– P-33 Kotor - P-34 Novi Sad	1 1		2 in reserve[23]
Fast attack craft
Končar class	Yugoslavia	– RTOP-405 Jordan Nikolov Orce – RTOP-406 Ante Banina	1 1		Under reconstruction. The ship RTOP-405 rentered service in 2019. under name P-105 "Durmitor".[citation needed]
Transport and support
PO class	Yugoslavia	– PO91	1		1 in reserve
Tugboats
Salvage tug	Yugoslavia	– PR-41 (Orada) - LR-77	1 1		2 in active service
Sailing ship
Jadran	Weimar Republic	Used as a training ship	1		1 in active service
Motor sailboat	Yugoslavia	– Bojana - Milena	1 1		2 in active service
Motorboat
Diving boat	Yugoslavia	-Ronilačka baraksa 81 -Ronilačka barkasa 85	1 1		2 in active service
Motor boat Polycat	Netherlands		1		1 in active service
Motor boat	Yugoslavia	– ČM 33	1		1 in active service
Inflatable boat
Valiant 620PT	United Kingdom	Used by Marine Platoon	2		2 in active service
Motor yacht
Jadranka	Yugoslavia	VIP Yacht	1		Offered for sale
Crane vessel
Floating Crane	Yugoslavia	LDI 18	1		1 in active service

Aircraft	Country manufactured	Variant	Quantity	Pictures	Notes
Transport
Cessna 421 Golden Eagle	United States	Cessna 421B Golden Eagle	1		One for transport, medical evacuation and training.[citation needed]
Transport and utility helicopters
SOKO Gazelle	France  Yugoslavia	SA-341H HO-42 SA-341H HI-42 SA-342L HO-45 SA-342L HN-45M	4 1 2 4		not in use from 2020
Bell 412	United States  Canada	412EP 412EPI	1 2		One EP variant and two EPI variants. Medical evacuation, search and rescue, aerial firefighting, patrol.[24][25]
Training helicopters
Bell 505 Jet Ranger X	United States  Canada	Bell 505 Jet Ranger X	2		Two for pilot training.[26]
Air defence
9K32 Strela-2M	Soviet Union  Yugoslavia	Portable low-altitude surface-to-air missile			Planned to buy new man-portable air-defense systems.[citation needed]
Bofors 40 mm Automatic Gun L/70	Sweden	Autocannon 40mm L/70, works with GIRAFFE Radar			Planned for modernization.[citation needed]
Giraffe radar	Sweden	Early warning radar, works with Bofors 40mm L/70			Planned for modernization.[citation needed]

• 
  Members of Special Forces Brigade
• 
  Members of Marine Detachment
• 
  Special forces
• 
  Montenegrin troops in Afghanistan
• 
  Montenegrin troops in Afghanistan
• 
  Infantry Company
• 
  Infantry Company
• 
  Sniper
• 
  Achleitner RCV Survivor
• 
  BOV M86
• 
  Combat drill
• 
  Soldier
• 
  NBC Defence
• 
  Military Police
• 
  Montenegrin navy boat
• 
  Montenegrin soldier holding a HK MP5
• 
  Kotor class Frigate

• Law enforcement in Montenegro
• List of wars involving Montenegro

• Official Website (Montenegrin)
• Montenegro in NATO (Montenegrin)
• "Europe’s Newest State Trims the Army" (DefenseNews.com)^{[dead link‍]}
• "Appointment of the Acting Chief of the General Staff of the Army of Montenegro" (Website of the President of Montenegro)
• Montenegrin Armed Forces / Vojska Crne Gore – VCG
• Perspective of the Military of Montenegro, in English
• Montenegrin Armed Forces before 1918 / Vojska Crne Gore prije 1918
• Debate on NATO in Montenegro
• Milo Đukanović appoints himself as Minister of Defense
• / Forum article about Montenegrin military (in Serbian)